Sosua Reports

[Boriman]

Looks like Punta Cana / Bavaro will be next.

http://bavarodigital.net/2017/02/05/...o-actualizado/

First, I hope my fellow board members do not mind it when I copy and paste articles directly into this forum. I do so since, many times, after a certain period, some links stop working. Second, on some computers the links do work but in others they do not.

Not that I discourage links but occassionally clicking them puts some unwanted stuff on people's computers.

Finally, the link is to a Spanish article. An English translation is helpful for my fellow brothers out there who do not read Spanish.

Below is a translation of the link http://bavarodigital.net/2017/02/05/...o-actualizado/.

In the area of Bavaro. Punta Cana, sources close to Bavaro Digital reported that there will be massive detentions in the month of March-April by the Migration Department. We advise foreigners to come to normalize and regularize their papers and residence permits in the Dominican Republic.

SANTO DOMINGO. - The General Directorate of Migration (DGM) calls on all foreign nationals residing in the Dominican Republic with expired immigration status to renew their residence cards, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 285-04 General of Migration. In a press release, the DGM indicates that according to the provisions of article 25 of the Law, "foreigners authorized to remain in the country, are obliged to obtain, maintain and carry their immigration identification documents. ".

In that sense, it states that "foreign citizens with immigration status due in any of the categories: students, temporary workers, temporary residents, permanent residents and investors, must proceed with the renewal of their immigration identification documents. " The institution informs that in order to do so, they must come to the Headquarters, located in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, at George Washington Avenue, Hroes de Luperand, (La Feria) from Monday to Friday, 08:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

In the case of foreign citizens residing in localities of the interior of the country, the renewal of their documents can be carried out in the regional offices of the DGM in bevaro, La Altagracia Province, for the East zone and in the regional offices of Santiago de LOS Caballeros and Puerto Plata, for the Cibao region and the North.

The agency issued a warning following the arrest of a number of foreigners in the last hours in Puerto Plata, Sosa and Cabarete, after establishing that they were residing illegally in the country, most of them with a residence permit and other documents Expired.

During operations carried out by immigration inspectors in Puerto Plata, Sosa and Cabarete, several Canadians, Russians, Germans, Italians, Venezuelans, Cubans, Americans and other nationalities who were illegally residing in the country were detained, after leaving their residence permit, States the entity.

However, the Migration Directorate reports that many of the detainees proceeded immediately to renew their documents in order to stay longer in the national territory, so that the entity deprived them of their deportation.

He warns, however, that other foreigners who maintain an attitude of indifference in the renewal of their stay permits in the Dominican Republic and other important documents will be located and could be removed from the national territory for violation of law 285-04 on Migration.

"We are exhausting the decision to call those foreigners to come to our offices to regularize their documents because otherwise, we will act accordingly," says a communication from the General Directorate of Migration delivered to journalists of this medium who cover the source.

Where to seek help. In addition, the entity explains that in addition to the main office located in the Center of Heroes, Migration also opened premises in Punta Cana and bevaro, where foreigners can go to normalize and regularize their roles and residence permits in the Dominican Republic and Covers both workers and students of different nationalities residing here.

This puts a different spin on the article I previously posted (post number 28045). The above article does not mention tourists, people who ride motorized vehicles being particularly targeted, or even a DOP 2,500 (this is the fine one pays for overstaying from one day to three months!

It seems that there are two groups here: the overstays (the above article) and the tourists (post 28045). Either the media are confusing the two, reporting it incorrectly, both media have a different focus, or Immigration (or law enforcement sent out to do their bidding), in it's overzealousness are targeting overstays and accidentally arresting tourists in the process.

It could even be that Immigration is arresting tourists, along with the overstays, knowing that tourists will pay up since many have to be back home by a certain time. Surely, if I was arrested I would be worried about being detained so long that I would miss my plane back home (and have problems explaining myself to my boss). I could easily see a nave tourist, not overstaying, not speaking Spanish, being made to pay a fine for not having documents on hand. Excuse my skepticism and cynicism but I have been to DR so many times I am still amazed at all the scams some Islanders pull.

Although I've not seen my buddy in several years he once explained to me that he always overstays, saying that it is cheaper and less hassle to pay the fine than it is to gain citizenship. Every so often he left the country and reentered, to avoid any complications. My friend is a businessman so obtaining a Resident or Business visa would cost $125 (which is DOP 5843, not counting cost of paperwork, and other expenses, claiming residency).

For that he could overstay in the DR up to 9-12 months and only pay a DOP 5,000 fine. The way Dominican Immigration works overstaying is simply the better option.

I guess many others have been doing the same thing and now they are cracking down on it. The problem are not the overstays but how the government has been addressing the issue. Like the motoconcho guys. They are all suppose to be wearing helmets. Every so often they enforce this law by confiscating the bikes. Then the police get lax and the motoconcho guys return to their old ways.

Let us see how long this Immigration crackdown lasts.

Manizales, Wrx2005, Berthold, and everyone else, thanks for your imput.

[Berthold]

You are welcome. And yes we will see how this plays out. Since it is not easy to figure out the motives behind this, why they targeted certain people / places, and what is going to happen next.

Looks like Punta Cana / Bavaro will be next.

http://bavarodigital.net/2017/02/05/...o-actualizado/

[Wrx2005]

Thanks Wrx2005 for the valuable information. It will definitely come in handy, with making copies and the overstay issue.

Returning to the arrests I could be mistaken but there is no indication of an overstay in the post of the arrested tourists (post number 28049). It still seems like the usual shakedown of people on motorized vehicles, since this was Immigrations focus. If it was a paperwork issue than Immigration would be stopping every tourist they see and checking them out (has anybody on this board been stopped, checked out, and arrested over this issue? I would like to hear your story.). It sounds like a particular, limited, group was targeted, as is always the case.
We will see how it all turns out but stuff like this usually calms down after a while.

You are welcome. And yes we will see how this plays out. Since it is not easy to figure out the motives behind this, why they targeted certain people / places, and what is going to happen next.

[Rodeo9112]

We watch the Super Bowl in the back of city lights. It was about 12 of us so you should've saw the waitresses argue over who's customers we were a real clown show very unorganized. After the game hung out in the city lights Waiting on a waitress to get off work Classicao closed at 1 o'clock on Super Bowl Sunday. I thought they would ease the ban for the Super Bowl, but I was wrong. Supposedly plaza casino stays open all night never been there. We went to the casino near the old Victorian house it was dead just a couple of stragglers. OK fellas I'll keep you guys posted I have to get rid of this waitress it's her day off but she's not staying with me.

Can you PM me with the waitress' name?

[Boriman]

Thanks Wrx2005 for the valuable information. It will definitely come in handy, with making copies and the overstay issue.

Returning to the arrests I could be mistaken but there is no indication of an overstay in the post of the arrested tourists (post number 28049). It still seems like the usual shakedown of people on motorized vehicles, since this was Immigrations focus. If it was a paperwork issue than Immigration would be stopping every tourist they see and checking them out (has anybody on this board been stopped, checked out, and arrested over this issue? I would like to hear your story.). It sounds like a particular, limited, group was targeted, as is always the case.
We will see how it all turns out but stuff like this usually calms down after a while.

[Wrx2005]

In all due respect, where did you get this information?

Also, where does one go in Sosua to make a copy of their passport, with stamp? How much would it cost?

As always, Manizales, thanks for your input. It is always appreciated.

I know and used two places in Sosua to get my passport copied. The 1st place is the computer / office center in the plaza behind Baileys restaurant on Alejo Martinez. Their color copying is very reasonably priced. Next is the business / office store on calle Dr. Rosen. If you stand in the Metro Bus station parking lot (facing calle Dr. Rosen) , you can look right at it. They also made the same color copies, and lamination. For some reason, I prefer going to the store behind Baileys Restaurant.

I had my 1st two pages copied in color then laminated in actual size of my passport. One side has my photo, details and the other side is the 2nd page of my passport. On another occasion I also had them make the same copies of my passport, then they shrunk it down into the size of a credit card. Laminated. I try to get them to make at least 5 copies. I haven't yet copied my entry stamp. Mainly because I'm still legal from when I left and returned back in January.

I also got several laminated copies of my Universal Medical Insurance Card, and my USA driver license. They all look very official in color and laminated to look like the real thing.

For those possibly needing to pay for an overstay of their tourist visa:

Yesterday went to La Sirena in PP. Did a dry run looking for the DR Immigration Office at 95 Calle Beller, near Calle 20 de Diciembre. Calle Beller runs One way, west to east, until you get past calle 27 de Febreo, then it becomes two way ( The street name may change? ), . Once I was driving on Beller traveling east, I realized that I had been on it dozens of times.

If you follow it towards the direction of Sosua it will take you to the big circle where that Judicial Office bldg is and the main autopista. Coming from the direction of Sosua, heading into Puerto Plata, you would have to follow the same road going in the opposite direction, knowing that it splits in the area of 27 de Febrero and becomes one way, east to west ( again do not know the name, but it runs parallel to Calle Beller ).

After about 5 to 8 blocks past 27 de Febrero, you will have to turn left (at least 2 blocks past calle 20 de Diciembre) on one of those side streets to head about 2 blocks south to Calle Beller to turn left to go back east. If you turn onto Calle Beller and the address numbers are higher than 95, then the Immigration office is behind you. And you need to navigate to go back. If you turn on Calle Beller and the numbers are lower than 95, then just keep driving looking on your right hand side for it. Next door is the TSS office. Dont look for any large office building. You could easily pass it because the entrance to the Immigration bldg is relatively small and it doesnt seem like it belongs in the area.

[Scotch]

We watch the Super Bowl in the back of city lights. It was about 12 of us so you should've saw the waitresses argue over who's customers we were a real clown show very unorganized. After the game hung out in the city lights Waiting on a waitress to get off work Classicao closed at 1 o'clock on Super Bowl Sunday. I thought they would ease the ban for the Super Bowl, but I was wrong. Supposedly plaza casino stays open all night never been there. We went to the casino near the old Victorian house it was dead just a couple of stragglers. OK fellas I'll keep you guys posted I have to get rid of this waitress it's her day off but she's not staying with me.

[Oakie]

Maybe, maybe not. This board does not seem to have a very good record on making predictions about Dominican politics, and things that seem random to the casual observer must always have some underlying rationale, even if we don't know what it is. I remember Cuba Dave saying the same thing about the closure of La Pasion nightclub, that a few bribes needed to be paid and normal service would be resumed at the famous brothel as soon as possible. I wonder what he is doing now.

"Even if we don't know what it is", this mysterious, almost religious "underlying rationale" to you, is no such thing to locals. They understand the corrupt game that goes on. I explained it in my post, Simply politics and money. The age old tension between what politicians say to become popular vs what they actually do!

When I first started hangin with the locals I kept hearing the word "mafia". I was curious as to where this mafia was. Turns out the words mafiosa and mafioso describe individual bad dudes, while "mafia" is their word for the political powers that be that are in charge of essential services like water and electricity, and decide what will be enforcement flavor of the month.

I don't listen to "predictions" from this board, or rumors. Most turn out to be useless. 180 degrees wrong, or only half the story.

Things like Sosua prostitution being on its last legs, or Sosua dying as a prostitution destination. Sosua as a dangerous place. A den of thieves. So-called "smart" mongers moving out.

If I did I would not be going back as often as I could for that cheap, beautiful, abundance of safe tropical pussy. I'd rather believe my own lyin' eyes. My own enjoyment of the place improves with every visit, if that is possible.

I don't know why some folks here are not happy to hear that, but that's their problem.

I agree with them in one aspect, they SHOULD move on!

To mix metaphors, Sosua is the energizer bunny that keeps on ticking, and defies all exaggerated reports of its death! It just needs a new battery now and then!

Truth is it runs on money and politics, like all places.

I just like the fact that the locals are far more aware of this than your average PC NA resident who tend to idolize their politicians.

[Boriman]

You're wrong, this is serious shit. The people that paid the 2500 pesos were given an extension and a receipt for the money to show to immigration at the airport when leaving...

In all due respect, where did you get this information?

Also, where does one go in Sosua to make a copy of their passport, with stamp? How much would it cost?

As always, Manizales, thanks for your input. It is always appreciated.

[Wrx2005]

I was eating lunch at Bergen Street across from Runba enjoying the sights. The guy that cooked chicken and rumba was in front of the spot saying it will be open tomorrow. Last night I was in Clasicos The place was so packed it was unbearable left after a half an hour.
It was more guys than girls hopefully tonight will be the opposite. Downstairs tons of women it's a buyers market.
I drove by field of dreams some very nice women A new owner worth the trip. Here's a pic she said don't show her face but ass and🤡pussy is OK

I believe the place you were eating at was Bourbon Street. And RUMBA is across the street. If the guy on crutches (they call him chicken man) is the one who told you that Rumba is supposed to be open on Super Bowl, he mislead you. In fact he's been telling people since last year that Rumba would be opening soon. All of his reports and predictions have been false. And as far as I know, he isn't the one cooking. He waited on folks. Maybe he used to cook? One of the main cooks for Rumba ( when it was open ), NOW works at The Tree House bar / restaurant on the beach. #112. Short stocky Dominican.

So as of 1205 midnight, Rumba did NOT open for Super Bowl to the general public. And was not open for business. False rumors and reports is the norm in the DR. I've got to the point that I do not rely on most of what I hear people say, until the information is confirmed.

[Frannie]

Business as usual it is!

The deck chairs are re-arranged occasionally,

So called "crackdowns" occur randomly and often

Maybe, maybe not. This board does not seem to have a very good record on making predictions about Dominican politics, and things that seem random to the casual observer must always have some underlying rationale, even if we don't know what it is. I remember Cuba Dave saying the same thing about the closure of La Pasion nightclub, that a few bribes needed to be paid and normal service would be resumed at the famous brothel as soon as possible. I wonder what he is doing now.

[Charles Pooter]

I drove by field of dreams ... a new owner.

I had not been to field of dreams in years I think the owners name was Billy last time I was there.

LOL. We shall not be relying on you for news flashes. Billy departed from Field of Dreams over nine years ago! There have been at least four longish-term regimes since him, not counting temporary re-shuffles (Cristal's owner, Alberto & Amado, Jeffrey etc, and the current mob). When Billy ran it there were no on-site putas, guys took in their own girls. In my opinion a much better model.

I had a nice time with a Haitian girl last night. Best out of the five girls on the trip. The other four were Dominicans.

OK, now I am warming to you. Another convert to the dark side. I hope the ratio will be the other way round on your next visit (hopefully not another nine years distant?

[Scotch]

I had not been to field of dreams in years I think the owners name was Billy last time I was there.

He was an ex pat the manager on site now is a Dominican guy. They Had a couple of spinners.

Last night we walk to Classico and Guys were coming out saying it was Too pack. We hung out downstairs for a little while it was a decent selection of girls in the bar. Then we went to city lights lots of women especially Haitians girls there. I Had a nice time with a Haitian girl last night best out of the five girls on the trip the other four were Dominicans. If anybody knows of a big Super Bowl party tonight please post It. Fellas mentioned the sunrise and bellamar hotel along with City lights are doing something today. My hotel is brand-new or I should say still under construction the TV and wifi are not working yet but the food is excellent three meals a day. It's owned by the X owner of the Victorian house. He also owns the Bourbon street restaurant.

I'll let you guys know if Rumbas open tonight.

[Berthold]

You're wrong, this is serious shit. The people that paid the 2500 pesos were given an extension and a receipt for the money to show to immigration at the airport when leaving. Don't confuse Immigration police with the police walking the street, they aren't going to take bribes or put money in their own pocket. This has been 2 or 3 years in the making and is not going away, we have been warned about this happening but every body thought that they would only come down on the Haitians. If they want to force the illegal Haitians out they need to come down on other illegal foreigners or else they will lose foreign aid.

I second that, in Cabarete they rounded up a guy who has been in the D.R. for 20 years without ever getting residency. He had to pay 5 k us dollars in order to be released in POP.

[Revere]

You're wrong, this is serious shit. The people that paid the 2500 pesos were given an extension and a receipt for the money to show to immigration at the airport when leaving. Don't confuse Immigration police with the police walking the street, they aren't going to take bribes or put money in their own pocket. This has been 2 or 3 years in the making and is not going away, we have been warned about this happening but every body thought that they would only come down on the Haitians. If they want to force the illegal Haitians out they need to come down on other illegal foreigners or else they will lose foreign aid.

Ok, but, I talked to brothers on the ground and he said none of them have their passports on them and immigration looks the other way when they see them. So, why not stop everyone. But, you arrest canadians for having passports in the hotel.